🎯 New Brunswick Hunting Seasons 2026-2027 & License Requirements
Whether you’re a lifelong resident who knows every trail in your home zone or a visitor flying in for the trip of a lifetime, New Brunswick runs one of the most generous game calendars in Atlantic Canada. This guide walks you through the 2026–2027 wildlife schedule for whitetail deer, moose, bear, turkey, waterfowl, small game and furbearers, along with the permit requirements, tag rules and game zones you need before you head out.
We’ve pulled the most recent official dates from provincial and federal sources, flagged anything still awaiting final confirmation, and kept the whole thing beginner-friendly. Local hunters and out-of-province visitors alike should skim this before planning a trip, then double-check their specific wildlife management zone (WMZ) closer to opening day. Regulations can shift from year to year, so treat this as your map, not your final word.
📅 Quick Reference Points
- ✔ Whitetail deer: archery runs from early September into mid-October; firearms (rifle and muzzleloader share one window) usually run mid-October through early December, depending on zone. Antlerless deer requires a draw.
- ✔ Moose: draw-only, five-day season September 22–26, 2026, open to rifle or archery.
- ✔ Black bear: spring (roughly April to mid-June) and fall (September–October) windows; the resident licence includes two tags.
- ✔ Wild turkey: spring hunt opens the first Monday in May and now runs three weeks; youth aged 12 and up are welcome.
- ✔ Waterfowl: ducks and geese run from a September opener through January across two federal zones; non-toxic shot is mandatory.
- ✔ Small game: grouse and snowshoe hare open September 1, with the hare season stretching into March.
- ✔ No Sunday hunting in the province, and antlerless deer tags are resident-only.
🦌 Big Game Schedules
New Brunswick keeps its big game structure simple: deer for everyone, moose by draw, and a healthy bear population with generous tag limits. One quirk worth knowing—there’s no separate muzzleloader period here. Rifle and muzzleloader are folded into a single firearms season, so pick your platform and plan around one window.
| Species | 2026–2027 Window | Legal Methods | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitetail Deer | Archery: ~Sep 1 – Oct 15; Firearms: ~Oct 12 – Dec 7 (zone-dependent) | Bow/crossbow; rifle or muzzleloader | Antlerless deer by draw only; 2026 draw results released Sep 8 GNB Draw Dates |
| Moose | Sep 22–26, 2026 (five days) | Rifle or archery | Draw-only; 2026 licence total was 4,727; resident draw closed June 12, results July 6 Your Saint John |
| Black Bear | Spring: ~Apr 1 – Jun 15; Fall: ~Sep 1 – Oct 31 | Firearms, archery | Resident licence = 2 tags; non-resident bear draw ran Mar 16 – Apr 3, 2026 GNB Licenses |
There’s also the famous Grand Manan specialty archery hunt (WMZ 27), a bow-only window running October 5–25, 2026. Successful antlerless-draw archers on the island can buy a second license for an antlered deer in any open zone—a nice reward for putting in the work GNB Grand Manan.
🦃 Turkey Schedules
Turkey hunting is still young in the province—the annual season launched in 2021 to manage a growing population—and it keeps expanding. As of spring 2026 it runs a full three weeks starting the first Monday in May, so mark May 4–24, 2026 on the calendar GNB News.
| Hunt | Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (main) | First Monday in May, 3 weeks (May 4–24, 2026) | Resident licence $25; youth 12+ eligible |
| Fall | September – December (where open, per latest summary) | Zone-dependent; confirm in the current summary |
| Non-resident draw | Application closes last Friday of November the year prior | Draw-based; outfitter licence $90 |
🦝 Furbearer Season Dates
Fur harvesting follows the Fur Harvesting Regulation (NB Reg 84-124), and seasons are set per zone, so the table below shows the standard statewide windows. Raccoon and coyote are the headliners here—the province even runs a raccoon-with-hounds season that starts in August NB Reg 84-124.
| Species | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coyote & Fox | Oct 1 – last day of February | Snaring windows vary by zone; special coyote control permits exist |
| Raccoon | Oct 1 – Dec 31; hound season from first Monday in August | Raccoon hunting permit needed for hounds |
| Bobcat | Second week of November – Feb 28 | Bobcat authorization required; max 3 hounds |
| Fisher & Marten | Late November, 2–3 consecutive weeks by zone | Short, tight windows |
| Beaver | Late October – Jan 31 (trapping); some zones snare to Feb 28 | Underwater snare rules apply late season |
| Muskrat | Fall (late Oct – Jan 31) and spring (mid-March – May 15) | Muskrat houses are off-limits |
Harvesters need a fur harvester’s licence (minors 10+ can hold one), a rabbit licence, or the right minor’s licence, plus specific authorizations for bobcat and hound work.
🐦 Small Games Dates
For casual days in the woods, small game is where the province shines. “Partridge” in local talk means ruffed grouse, and the mixed-wood hills are full of them.
| Species | Season | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Ruffed & Spruce Grouse | Sep 1 – Dec 31 | 5 |
| Snowshoe Hare | Sep 1 – Mar 31 | 3 |
| Woodcock | Sep 15 – Nov 30 | 8 |
| Snipe | Zone 1: Oct 15 – Jan 14; Zone 2: Oct 1 – Dec 31 | 10 |
🦆 Complete Waterfowl Seasons
Waterfowl is a two-layer puzzle: federal rules from Environment and Climate Change Canada on top of provincial licensing. You’ll need the federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit plus the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp, and only non-toxic shot is permitted (woodcock excepted). The windows below follow the most recent published federal summary—the 2026–27 version lands in late summer, and the early goose opener below has been a reliable constant ECCC New Brunswick.
| Species | Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks (combined) | Oct 15 – Jan 29 | Oct 1 – Jan 15 | 6 (max 1 Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
| Geese (combined) | Sep 1–15 early; Oct 15 – Jan 14 | Sep 1–15 early; Oct 1 – Dec 31 | 5 (early season: +5 Canada/Cackling) |
| Sea ducks (eiders, scoters, mergansers) | Oct 15 – Feb 24 split windows | Oct 1 – Jan 15 | 6 with species caps |
| Woodcock | Sep 15 – Nov 30 | Same | 8 |
| Snipe | Oct 15 – Jan 14 | Oct 1 – Dec 31 | 10 |
Wetland zones matter here: closed areas include the Tabusintac River estuary, most of Bathurst Basin, and the Dalhousie shoreline strip, plus The Wolves in the Bay of Fundy. Youth waterfowl permits are free through the federal e-permitting system, and junior hunters can carry their own bag under a mentor.
🐗 Other Available Game
Beyond the headline species, a Varmint licence (resident $14, non-resident $32) opens the door to crows, cormorants and similar species—handy for spring practice or farm pest control. The province keeps things simple: there are no dove, sandhill crane or frog seasons here, so don’t plan for them.
| Species | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crows & cormorants | Varies by zone, under Varmint licence | Check local summaries |
| Coyote (control) | Extended opportunities under permit | Special coyote control permits available |
🗺️ Zones Active for Hunting
The whole province is carved into 27 wildlife management zones (WMZs), and almost every season—deer firearms, furbearer snares, turkey fall hunts—varies by zone. The official wildlife map lives on the provincial Go Hunting portal, which also hosts the tentative season-dates PDF for the coming year GNB Go Hunting. Two rules of thumb: Crown land is open to hunting unless posted, and private land always needs the owner’s permission. When in doubt, ask—landowners across the province are usually happy to talk.
🎟️ Licenses, Tags & Permits
Licenses are sold through the provincial e-licensing system, and bundles save real money if you chase more than one species. Prices below include HST and current for 2026 GNB Available Licenses.
| Licence | Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Big Game Bundle (deer, bear ×2, game bird, varmint) | $78.50 | — |
| Deer & Game Bird | $34.00 | $183.00 (Class 1) |
| Moose (draw) | $72.00 | $548.00 |
| Bear | $42.00 (2 tags) | $163.00 (draw/leftover) |
| Turkey | $25.00 | $90.00 (outfitter) |
| Bird & Small Game | $19.00 | $82.00 (Class 2) |
| Varmint | $14.00 | $32.00 |
| Minor’s Bird & Small Game (12–15) | Free | — |
A few extras to budget for:
- Federal waterfowl package: Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit + Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp (free for youth).
- Bow and crossbow users must complete a stand-alone Bow Hunter Education course or show a previous bow licence.
- Non-residents generally must use a licensed outfitter or guide to pursue moose and bear in the province.
- Seniors (65+) get roughly half off most resident licences, and there are designated licences and military/RCMP pathways worth asking about.
❓ New Brunswick (Canada) Hunting Quick FAQ
1. Do I need a draw to hunt moose?
Yes—moose is strictly draw-based. For 2026, applications closed June 12, results posted July 6, and the hunt runs September 22–26.
2. Can non-residents hunt deer?
They can. The Class 1 licence ($183) covers antlered deer in open zones. The antlerless deer draw, however, is residents-only.
3. Is a guide mandatory for visitors?
For moose and bear, yes—non-residents are generally required to use a licensed outfitter or guide. Deer and bird hunting don’t carry that requirement.
4. Are there youth opportunities?
Plenty. Minors 12–15 get a free bird & small game licence, youth 12+ can join the spring turkey hunt, and the federal youth waterfowl permit is free with a mentor.
5. When is turkey season?
Spring turkey opens the first Monday in May for three weeks—May 4–24 in 2026. A fall component also exists in some zones.
6. What do I need for waterfowl?
A federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit, the habitat conservation stamp, a provincial licence, and non-toxic shot.
7. Where am I allowed to hunt?
Any open WMZ on Crown land unless posted, or on private land with permission. Check the official map before every trip.
🔗 List of Related Guides
- New Brunswick (Canada) Hunting Guide – Complete Season Overview
- Ontario Hunting Seasons – Dates, Zones & Licences
And if you’re planning a trip around the Bay of Fundy, our Nova Scotia hunting guide covers the other shore.
Conclusion
New Brunswick’s 2026–2027 game calendar rewards people who plan ahead: moose draws close in June, bear and turkey windows sell out in spring, and waterfowl paperwork takes five minutes online. Lock in your licences early, confirm your zone’s exact dates as final summaries drop, and respect landowner boundaries—do that and you’ll have a season worth telling stories about. Bookmark this page, and check back each fall for updated schedules. Now go scout that ridge.
Disclaimer: Dates and limits below come from official summaries published for the 2025–2026 season and confirmed 2026 draw windows. Always verify current dates with the Government of New Brunswick’s Fish & Wildlife branch and Environment and Climate Change Canada before you buy tags.
